Seven best iPad Air keyboards (hands on): June 2014

Summary: The iPad is making its way into the workplace in ever greater numbers. A good keyboard can make the difference between a mediocre work experience and a good one. These are the best keyboards for the iPad Air we've tried.

7 Best iPad Air Keyboards

The vibrant accessory ecosystem for the iPad means a large number of keyboard accessories guarantee lots of choices for iPad Air owners. Adding the right keyboard to the iPad Air can open it up to a wide range of work functions, especially with the arrival of Office for iPad.

The keys to building a good keyboard for the iPad are:

Large keys

Key spacing

Good viewing angle for the iPad when propped in the keyboard

All the keyboards in this collection connect to the iPad Air over Bluetooth, and are rechargeable via an included USB-microUSB cable. Run-time is typically several months on a single charge, and all of the keyboards go into standby mode after several minutes of inactivity.

Most of the cases come in one of two forms: a simple cover that attaches to the iPad Air and has a keyboard on one side, and a folio style. The folios are typically a little heavier than the cover style cases, and offer protection for the iPad Air front and back, while the covers only protect the screen when closed.

We've used dozens of keyboards since the original iPad was introduced. This experience gives us a rounded view of which keyboards make the grade and which fail.

The keyboard/cases in this collection are the best we've tried so far for the iPad Air. Each keyboard is shown in three poses to give a good idea of what buyers can expect. Links to the full reviews on ZDNet are provided where available.

The pricing provided for each case is the MSRP at time of publication. Most of these accessories can be purchased cheaper online and in some big box retail stores.

Anker TC930 Ultra-Thin Keyboard Cover

The Anker is not the best keyboard in this collection but it is by far the best value. It has a unique stand to prop up the iPad Air when the tablet is inserted in the slot above the keyboard.

Typing on the Anker is a solid experience, although the keys are a little cramped. The row of iPad control keys now common on keyboard accessories is missing. These controls are instead accessed by hitting the Fn key in combination with one of the number keys.

What makes the Anker worthy of the best list is the value. The cover is almost as good as some of the pricier big-name models, yet can currently be purchased from Amazon for $30.

Anker TC930 Ultra-Thin Keyboard Cover

Anker TC930 Ultra-Thin Keyboard Cover

Belkin QODE ThinType keyboard

The ThinType keyboard is the thinnest and lightest accessory in this collection. Belkin has concentrated on slimming the ThinType as much as possible.

There is a unique hump on the bottom of the cover that houses a bigger battery than those found in other keyboards. Belkin claims a battery life of six months, double that of all the other keyboards in this collection.

Using the Belkin is much like other covers, the iPad Air attaches magnetically to the tablet forming a book-like assembly that closes for transport. Open the book, detach the iPad Air, and set it in the slot above the keyboard.

Belkin QODE ThinType keyboard

Belkin QODE ThinType keyboard

The battery hump on the bottom of the cover provides a comfortable typing angle not found on other cases.

ZAGGkeys Folio

ZAGG has been making keyboards for the iPad for years, and the patented hinge on the back of the ZAGGkeys Folio makes it operate much like a little laptop. The hinge supports using the iPad Air in a range of viewing angles, and its position allows ZAGG to spread out the keyboard.

The Folio encases the iPad Air completely for transport, although it's not ruggedized. It's easy to pop the iPad Air in and out of the ZAGGkeys Folio as desired.

The keyboard on the Folio is as good as any, with nearly full-sized keys producing a very good typing experience. Pressing keys feels as good as it does on many laptops, and very fast touch typing is possible.

The top row of keys has control keys for iPad operation, along with Copy, Cut, and Paste keys.

The keyboard is backlit, with seven colors selectable in three brightness levels.

ZAGGkeys Folio

The backlit keyboard has seven colors and three brightnesses to choose from on the fly. This backlighting can be turned off to conserve battery.

ZAGGkeys Folio

The special hinge on the back of the keyboard makes the Folio work much like a laptop.

Kensington KeyFolio Pro

Those wanting a full folio to carry the iPad Air should take a look at this model from Kensington. It's made of soft faux leather and completely encases the iPad for transport. There is a magnetic flap that holds the unit securely closed.

There is no smart cover technology in the KeyFolio Pro, unlike all the other keyboards in this collection. Opening and closing the folio does not turn the iPad Air on and off.

The keyboard in the KeyFolio Pro is removable, and held by magnets in the case. This configuration supports using the keyboard in different settings, removing and positioning the keyboard as appropriate. It is also possible to leave the keyboard back in the home or office and just use the folio.

The keyboard has a good feel when typing and supports the iPad Air in several viewing angles. The tablet is held magnetically in any one of the three slots offering different angles.

Given the soft folio covering, this is the heaviest and thickest case in this collection.

Kensington KeyFolio Pro

The keyboard is removable, allowing for positioning as best fits the work space.

Kensington KeyFolio Pro

The iPad Air is supported in any one of three viewing angles

ZAGGkeys Cover

This keyboard case is like the previous ZAGG model in this collection, but trades the folio style for that of a simple cover for the iPad Air. The ZAGGkeys Cover uses the same outstanding keyboard as the Folio, and has the same functional hinge on the back of the unit.

The ZAGGkeys Cover is used like a laptop, with variable viewing angles to fit the situation. It is very thin and adds little bulk and weight to the iPad Air.

The base of this unit is weighted just enough to provide a stable configuration no matter how far back the iPad Air is pushed. It can be used in the lap just like a laptop as a result.

The keyboard is backlit, with a choice of seven different colors selectable on the fly. The backlighting has three brightness levels to suit any work environment.

ZAGGkeys Cover

The keyboard, along with the ZAGGkeys Folio, is the best of the keyboards in this collection, and the author's preferred keyboard for the iPad Air.

ZAGGkeys Cover

The operation of the iPad Air and the ZAGGkeys Cover rivals that of a small, thin laptop.

Logitech Ultrathin Keyboard Cover

Logitech first introduced the Ultrathin Keyboard Cover early in the iPad's history, and it has continued to produce updated versions for each new iPad model. The Ultrathin for the iPad Air is one of the thinnest keyboard cases we've seen, and is a good fit for the thin tablet.

Like the Kensington model previously detailed in this collection, the Logitech cover fits the iPad Air precisely, with the tablet attaching magnetically to the Ultrathin Keyboard Cover for transport. The iPad's screen is protected in the cover with the back exposed. The brushed aluminum of the Keyboard Cover matches that of the iPad Air.

Typing on the Logitech Ultrathin Keyboard Cover is a joy, with adequate key spacing yielding a comfortable and efficient typing experience. The iPad Air can be used in either portrait or landscape orientation with this keyboard.

The top row consists of special function keys for controlling iPad operation.

Logitech Ultrathin Keyboard Cover

Logitech Ultrathin Keyboard Cover

The iPad Air sits in a slot above the keyboard for use. This arrangement only allows for one angle, but it's comfortable.

Kensington Keycover

Mobile accessory maker Kensington offers several models of keyboard cases for the iPad Air. The company takes the minimalist approach with the KeyCover, a device that is essentially a thin keyboard with a brushed metal back.

The iPad Air snaps into the precisely tooled KeyCover for transport, protecting the screen while leaving the iPad's aluminum back exposed. The tablet is easily popped out of the case and propped up in a magnetic slot above the keyboard.

This design has a fixed viewing angle and, while it's worked well in our testing, it may be less acceptable for some.

The keyboard is a very good one, with fast touch typing easily accomplished. Key spacing is good and key travel offers decent tactile feedback.

The row of LED indicators on the rear of the KeyCover (power, CAPS LOCK) are poorly located. They are not visible when using the keyboard with the iPad Air in place.

The magnetic slot where the tablet is inserted for typing holds the iPad securely, and permits using the tablet in landscape and portrait orientations.

The Kensington KeyCover is available at major retailers and from Kensington for $79.99. There is a slightly more expensive model with backlit keys.

James Kendrick has been using mobile devices since they weighed 30 pounds, and has been sharing his insights on mobile technology for almost that long. Prior to joining ZDNet, James was the Founding Editor of jkOnTheRun, a CNET Top 100 Tech Blog that was acquired by GigaOM in 2008 and is now part of that prestigious tech network. James' w...
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